Thoughts Along the Journey

Several years ago, I wrote a post to honor my dad Vernon.  I shared the story of his time in Korea. I did my best to share his heroism with my readers.  I wanted the world to know what an amazing man the simple farmer from Kansas truly was.  I wanted to honor my hero. This past week, I lost my "other" dad.  My father-in-law, Keith, passed from this life to the next.  It has been a difficult time, to say the least.  Let me introduce the man who became Dad Johnson to me almost 36 years ago. I briefly met my husband's family on our college campus.  Little did I know that two years later, I would again be introduced to them, but this time as their son's girl friend.  Keith (my husband) and I were traveling to Michigan to begin our summer internships.  His family graciously met us in Terre Haute, as we had left Springfield, MO, in the wee hours of the morning.  From the moment we made acquaintance, I was wrapped in their love and joy.  T...

 We have a pope! Millions around the world were glued to their TVs, computers, phones, and radios as the white smoke came streaming from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.  Then, the time of more waiting, as the result of the vote would be announced.  Cheers rang out as the name of the new pontiff was declared:  Cardinal Robert Prevost is the new pope, choosing the title of Pope Leo XIV. I will admit, I have never heard of Cardinal Robert Prevost.  I was shocked to learn of his birth and upbringing in Chicago.  An American pope?!  I never thought I would hear those words in my lifetime! After the proclamation, I made the mistake of scrolling through social media. I erroneously imagined the world rejoicing at this moment.  However, all the trolls came out of the woodwork.  Anger against the Catholic Church (and Christianity in general) was spewed all over the internet.  Accusations hurled this way and that.  Ugh. Our family convert...

Today we celebrate the conversion of St. Paul.  (see Acts 9 and Acts 22)  It is an incredible story of a man (Saul) set on exposing the truth while he was unknowingly fighting against the truth.  He was a devout Jewish leader, searching for those who would teach against the Laws he knew so well. The conclusion of his journey (and the beginning of a new path) came unexpectedly as he traveled to Damascus, seeking those of the Christian faith.  Light pierced the sky, a voice spoke from heaven, he was unseated from his horse, and an encounter with the risen Jesus took place.  He gained a new perspective and a new name (Saul became Paul).  He met a man (Ananias) who prayed for the scales to be removed from Paul's eyes (both figuratively and literally).  He baptized Paul, and introduced him to the Man behind the voice.  In that moment, Paul saw the fulfillment of all he had been taught.  His Messiah had come, and had a mission for Paul....

 Hello, blog readers!  I haven't posted in forever!  Our old laptop became more of a burden than a tool.  This year, my wonderful family gifted me a Chromebook for Christmas.  Hurray! I'm going to address the obvious "big story" of the week: the inauguration of Donald Trump as our president.  Unless you live under a rock, you probably know more about this than I do.  I watched the major event of the oaths.  I heard President Trump's acceptance speech.  I viewed the footage of the Bidens leaving in the helicopter in a peaceful transfer of power. To me, one of the bright spots was Carrie Underwood's impromptu Acapella version of "America the Beautiful".  (Sound systems seem to be the bane of everyone's existence!)  As the crowd joined in singing, I had such a feeling of patriotic pride.  Yes, please!  God bless America! Do I have opinions about our new president and vice president?  For sure.  But my approach to ea...